Stewardship

 “It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2

A wealthy man was in the habit of giving his dad unique gifts on Father’s Day. One year it was lessons on hang-gliding. The year before that it was the entire record collection of Slim Whitman’s hits. But this past year he felt he had outdone himself. He purchased a rare kind of talking bird that could speak five languages and sing while standing on one foot. The talented bird cost ten thousand, but he felt it was worth every penny. This would be a Father’s Day gift his dad would never forget.

A week after Father’s Day he called his father. “Dad, how did you like the bird?” His father responded, “It was delicious!”

What do you do with the gifts that have been given to you?

Stewardship - the management of another person’s property, finances, or household affairs. As far as Christians are concerned, stewardship involves the responsibility of managing God’s work. God has appointed all Christians to be His stewards on earth. Stewardship is not an option, as Paul points out about his own call. Being a steward is a necessary part of believing the gospel, even if it involves sacrificing personal rewards, As the parable of the talents in Matt 25:14-30 shows, Christians will be held accountable for the way in which they manage God’s affairs as stewards. 

If you have ever notices crew in the ship you know what a ship’s steward is. Or if you have ever notice crew in the airplane, you know what a steward or stewardess is. That person does not own the airplane or anything on the plane. The company owns everything, but he or she is entrusted with its care. That steward has been given the responsibility of taking the goods that belong to a higher authority and dispensing it to the people for their benefit. That is a steward – on an airplane or ship – and in the spiritual realm as well.

Notice that it is not required of a steward to be eloquent or to have many gifts, only that he be found faithful. There are so many who will be rewarded someday, not because they did some great thing or had some great gift, but because they were faithful in what they did and how they did it.

What is it that we are stewards of? EVERYTHING we have. When nothing has our immediate attention, what do our thoughts turn to? Those things that occupy our minds and our time, determine the condition of our hearts.

Are we interested in the things of God? Are we concerned about the needs of others? Do we think about & look for opportunities to serve God? 

What kind of steward we will be for the Kingdom of God? As long as I keep a low profile, no one will ask me to do much, I don’t have to get too involved, and things will just take care of themselves. When I do get involved, am I serving myself, or serving God? what is the motive of our hearts?

Author: Justin